Speeches: House of Commons and Non-House of Commons: Speech notes and source material.

Reference code: CHUR 5/33A-C

Date: 27 Feb 1950 - 28 Mar 1950

Scope/content:

Speech notes and typescript for WSC's speech (7 March, House of Commons) for the debate on the address, on subjects including: the stalemate in the new Parliament and the need for electoral reform; uncertainty until the next election; increasing food production; unemployment; cutting taxation; restoring the value of sterling; repealing the nationalization of the iron and steel industry; enlarging the building trade to solve the housing problem; the risk of Britain being split into Labour and Conservative nations; the Conservative Party's duty to oppose the Government. Source material includes: notes on the political position, including the nationalization of steel, the chances of an early election and the Conservative aim to join the Liberals against the Government; extracts from speeches by WSC at Wolverhampton [Staffordshire] (23 July 1949) and at Luton Hoo [Bedfordshire] (26 June 1948) on agriculture and increasing the food supply (see CHUR 5/26 and CHUR 5/19); a press cutting from the Times on the Labour Government remaining in power; a copy of a message by Clement Attlee [Prime Minister] to the Labour candidate for Moss Side [Manchester] on the Government's aims. Published: Complete Speeches VIII pp 7957 - 67.

Speech notes and typescript for WSC's speech (16 March, House of Commons) entitled "Defence" on subjects including: ministerial appointments in defence; the need for greater openness with the House of Commons; retaining a reformed National Service scheme; recruitment for the regular army; the defence of Western Europe, particularly West Germany, against the Soviet Union and its satellites; reducing the Royal Navy; the threat from Soviet submarines and the need to develop aircraft carriers and anti-submarine aircraft; expanding the RAF as well as having American air bases in Britain; the development of rockets; risks from sheltering behind the atomic deterrent, and the need to seek a settlement with the Soviet Union. Source material includes: notes from the Conservative Party Committee for the Navy on ships and naval aircraft; a note from Antony Head commenting on the speech, including the risks from speculating on the chances of war or peace; an extract from a speech by WSC on defence cuts (27 October 1949, see CHUR 5/27); a copy of a statement by the United States on their new anti-submarine aircraft; an issue of the Economist. Published: Complete Speeches VIII pp 7967 - 78.

Speech notes and typescript for WSC's speech (22 May, Guildhall [London]) to inaugurate the Lord Mayor's National Thanksgiving Fund, commemorating the wartime spirit and overseas aid to Britain by funding students from the Commonwealth and the United States. Source material includes notes by George Christ [Parliamentary Liaison Officer, Conservative Party] on the purpose of the fund. Also includes a programme of the speeches, a copy of the speech by the Prime Minister [Clement Attlee] and a note by "N S" [Jo Sturdee, later Lady Onslow, WSC's secretary].

Speech notes and typescript for WSC's speech (28 March, House of Commons) entitled "European Unity" on subjects including: relations between Britain, France, West Germany and the Soviet Union; the presence of West Germany in the European Assembly, in Western defence and a united Europe; reconciliation between France and West Germany and the lead being taken by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer, Federal Chancellor of Germany; mutual assistance between Britain, France and West Germany for the good of Europe; reasons for and against a war; the Soviet Union's fears of the West; the atomic arms race and the need for a settlement with the Soviet Union. Source material includes: press cuttings from the Times on de Gaulle's reply to Adenauer's proposed union between France and West Germany, and on speeches by Dean Acheson, United States Secretary of State, on the terms for peaceful co-existence with the Soviet Union and on the United States's opposition to the spread of Communism in Asia; notes by Duncan Sandys on the Council of Europe, measures to promote the union of Europe and British reluctance for such measures; speech notes from WSC's speech at Edinburgh [Scotland] on settlement with the Soviet Union (14 February 1950, see CHUR 5/32). Published: Complete Speeches VIII, pp 7979 - 87.